CHAPTER SIX – THE SHAKE-UP IN SLYTHERIN
When the door came open, Ravenna was surprised to see a very skinny elderly woman in…a pink nightgown that was almost too big for her. The woman's hair was a bright silver, and her eyes an equally bright shade of green…but her face, lit up with happiness, was the brightest thing Ravenna had ever seen on a woman that age.
"Ravenna!" Elena Mullen cried, wrapping her arms around the winged girl. This was almost foreign to Ravenna, and she tried to pull away. "Oh, come now, is that any way to act when the grandmuther who has waited too bloody long to see you gets her wish?"
"I don't trust people." Ravenna said.
Elena acted like Ravenna hadn't said a word. "You don't know how upset I was when I found out how that dog who calls herself your grandmuther has been treating you! Your muther told me everything. If I was a witch, I'd have violated the International Statute of Secrecy and wound up in Azkaban all in one afternoon – by way of the Cruciatis Cruse!"
"Cruciatis Curse?" Ravenna asked.
"It's one of the three Unforgivable Curses, dear," Elena said. "Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra – The Killing Curse. Use of any one of those will get you a one-way ticket to Azkaban – wizard's prison." She paused. "But you would never need to know about any of those curses, dearie – what you need to know about is all of the wonderful things I've whipped you up for supper!"
Elena literally pushed young Ravenna into the living room, instructing her to lay down her bags. Ravenna, meanwhile, found all of this undue kindness extremely foreign – and suspicious. Having a strong lack of trust when it came to strangers, the ten-year-old found all of this unsettling…and didn't like it.
"Your muther and father refused to stay for supper, and it's a bloody pity if you ask me," Elena said, setting a plate of lasagna in front of Ravenna before taking a seat on the other side of the table. "Of course, I should know how my Lisa is…she couldn't stand the thought of dragging out a good-bye. She did that to me when she went to the front as a nurse – packed her bags in the middle of the night and was gone before dawn."
"That's…actually not the reason why they had to leave," Ravenna said. "Father…he owns a cannery in London, and has to take a trip out to a failing company tomorrow. He plans to buy it up."
Elena's mouth dropped open. "That silly boy that lost his foot…he owns a company?"
"Yes."
Elena was at a loss. "I always thought that boy was an idiot," she mumbled almost to herself. "He was way too cheerful for his own good, always thought that there was more good than bad in the world, and believed any bad situation could be turned around with a little love and hard work. Of course…that's probably why he stayed with my Lisa when you came along…and here he is now, owning Muggle companies!"
"Grandmuther?" Ravenna asked nervously.
"Yes, dearie?" Elena asked, coming up to look at her. "My, my, you are a nervous child – Dumbledore was right about you! Don't worry – Auntie Sophia, Auntie Klarissa, and Moanie will set you at ease. You have nothing to fear here."
"Who's Moanie?"
All of a sudden, a tiny pair of feet made their way across the floor…and a tiny house-elf was standing before Ravenna. The creature gave a little bow. "Good evening, Miss Royston!" she squeaked in a happy voice. "Moanie is happy to work for her future mistress, yes!"
"Future…mistress?" Ravenna asked.
"Moanie used to belong to your uncle before he died of dragon pox," Elena said, a little sadly. "She belongs to Klarissa now, but once we found out about you – and how Grindelwald has been after you – she and her sons decided that instead of having a house-elf for themselves, they would hand her over to you. When you turn sixteen or Klarissa dies, whichever comes first, you will inherit Moanie for yourself."
"I read a few things about house-elves," Ravenna replied. "Moanie, are you really a…slave?"
"Slave?" Moanie wondered. "No, Moanie is no slave. Moanie is a happy house-elf, bound to Mistress until you are ready! Fortnoys have always been good to Moanie, but they ask me to protect you now, because they love you! Moanie is proud to protect you and make you happy."
Ravenna felt sick to her stomach, silently resolving to herself to free Moanie from her enslavement the minute she turned sixteen. "I've felt enslaved to what people have thought of me my whole life," she thought. "No way am I having an actual slave in my possession. If she serves me, I want it to be because she wants to, not because she's been forced to!"
"Where are my aunts?" Ravenna asked.
"Sophia and Klarissa went to visit the Prewetts – they had a get-together with them today, they must have been running a little long," Elena replied. "Come now, finish your meal and I'll show you up to your room. I heard you love records and plays…I have plenty of new selections for you, and I can't wait to hear you sing!"
…
A short time later, Ravenna met Sophia and Klarissa, the two widowed aunts that shared the home with their mother. Ravenna found them all…different. Her home had been a loving one, but the cheer of the Mullen home far outstripped the love she found in the home she had just left. They all looked very much alike, but where Klarissa and Elena were both nearly skin-and-bones, Sophia was more plump, with some fading traces of black in her hair.
However, despite all of the happiness…Ravenna was soon beset with a mysterious gloom that she could not shake. She knew she was going to a wonderful school, a new chance for her to make friends…but she felt a tearing deep within her, as though something that she had built up without her knowledge for years was suddenly crumbling. Ravenna didn't understand how someone could feel this way…but it was horrible.
Thankfully, just before it became too much, Tom Riddle once again came to her rescue – although he was rather put out when he did it:
"I knew you were different, Ravenna…but now you tell me you are a witch, and you'll get to go to a magical school?" he had said. "If I had known that, I would have stuffed myself in a suitcase and gone with you!"
Once again, Ravenna drew comfort from Tom. Her parents wrote her as well…but she knew that the situation tore them up as much as it did her.
…
Two weeks before Ravenna was set to begin her first year, she and her grandmuther made the trip to Diagon Alley. Ravenna, as usual, had bundled herself inside her own wings and wore one of her heavy black coats – which had become a source of great consternation for her grandmuther.
"There's no good reason why you need to hide who you are!" her grandmuther protested after they left Gringotts Bank for Olivander's – and the first item on Ravenna's list, her wand. "Why, we've got centaurs, mermaids, dragons-"
"And a whole line of Squibs to boot." a voice sneered from the street.
Ravenna and her grandmuther turned – to see a man with whitish-blonde hair, a dark-haired woman who looked like his wife, and a proud-looking young boy who also had whitish-blonde hair and gray eyes in new robes. Ravenna was happy no one knew she had wings.
"Nice to see you, Malfoy," Elena snapped. "Is this young Abraxas you have? He's your spitting image!"
The elder Malfoy wanted to snap at Elena, but then, Abraxas spoke up. "Father, I heard we're supposed to get a filthy beast with raven's wings! Is that true?"
Ravenna nearly vomited, tears stinging her eyes. Suddenly…the dark power she had called upon only one other time tore through her, ripping up her coat and causing it to fall to the ground in ribbons. She stared long and hard at the boy as her wings flew open…and the boy was suddenly backed up against his father.
"I'm only a beast if you make me one." She growled, smoke suddenly curling off the tips of her fingers.
Abraxas and his family looked terrified. "O-Our bad." they replied in unison, turning away and disappearing down the sidewalk. Ravenna wanted to pursue them, but Elena's hand calmed her, and the darkness disappeared.
"Don't worry about them," her grandmuther replied. "They'll come around."
Ravenna sighed. After a few minutes…she went into Ollivander's…and almost had to walk back out. For some reason, the second she entered, she heard many high-pitched cries coming from all around the room full of wands, almost as if they were screaming at her! She was terrified at first, but then, without knowing what she was really doing, she closed her eyes…and the screams from within the wand cores turned into language she could understand.
The wands…were crying out for their masters to come for them. Crying out to be joined to the witch or wizard of their choosing. Ravenna opened her eyes, her head turning around the room…searching for the one who wanted her. The owner of the shop, Ollivander, seemed preoccupied elsewhere…she was sure that if the wand spoke to her, she could find what she needed alone. Finally, a small, yet deep voice along the back wall caught her attention.
"Ravenna, come to me," she heard it whisper. "I am your wand, fourteen inches, made of yew with a dragon heartstring core. You can hear our voices…because we, like you, are a product of magic. Come."
Ravenna followed the voice to its box on the wall, pulling it out slowly and quietly taking it to the cashier's desk. She opened the box and removed the wand…and as soon as wand and hand made their first embrace, a deep calm settled over her. A dark cloud emanated from the wand, and as Ravenna stared in awe, Ollivander appeared, looking dumbstruck.
"How in Merlin's beard did you do that, young lady?" the old wandmaker asked, almost snatching the wand from her hand. "I have never…oh, my."
Ollivander gazed at the wand, and then at Ravenna Royston. "How…it's impossible. That prophecy…the last Morgana ever made…but how?"
"What do you mean, Mr. Ollivander?" Ravenna asked.
Ollivander paused. "I am Garrick Olivander, proprietor of this shop. I can remember every wand I've ever sold, Miss-"
"Ravenna. Ravenna Royston."
"Miss Royston," he said calmly, shaking hands. "I remember every wand I've ever sold, and there has not been one young witch or wizard who has ever been able to find their wand the way you have. I heard the combined scream of every wand in this place when you walked in, Miss Royston, and believe me – that could only have happened if someone who shares the same lifeblood they do came into their midst."
"You mean, one of pure magic?"
"Yes," Ollivander said, returning the wand to her. "The wand you hold, despite having a dragon heartstring core, thirsts for a master…one who will control its complete allegiance for all time. You, like the wand…cannot be without a master."
"What kind of master?" Ravenna asked.
"I cannot say – that is up to you," Ollivander replied. "However…be careful of the master you choose. Unlike that wand…you can't always know the heart of your master. One may have been chosen for you…but in the end, the choice belongs to you."
"Mr. Ollivander…you spoke of a prophecy…and Professor Dumbledore did too," Ravenna said, more concerned over gathering information than guarding herself. "What is the prophecy? What does it mean?"
Ollivander paused, looking at her like he was stepping into foreign territory. "I wouldn't worry too much – trying to uncover what fate holds usually leads to one forcing its hand. You will know…in time."
Ravenna left the shop more frustrated than ever.
…
August 31st, 1936
Platform 9 ¾, Hogwarts Express
Ravenna Royston's eyes were misting as she sat in an empty carriage near the back of the Hogwarts Express. That day, for the first time in almost twenty years, her family, including house-elf Moanie, had been united – and it was actually a very happy day. Ravenna's parents had not made any adoptions yet, but Ravenna knew that they were making plans for a new addition, especially now that her muther would be spending more time alone at home. Ravenna admired her muther now more than ever – over the summer, Lisa had taken up nursing again, this time, for infants in the London City Hospital nursery. It was only part-time, but the money would be a very big help.
Ravenna watched until the Hogwarts Express sped away and she could no longer see her loved ones. She had all the supplies she needed, but there was one thing she did not have: a pet. Many had owls, cats, or toads, but Ravenna had no desire for owls or slimy toads, and she was allergic to cats.
"Will I ever have a pet?" she wondered to herself.
It was a hot day that August, and Ravenna soon found herself opening up the window as she wrote a letter to Tom, telling him she was on her way to Hogwarts. As she finished the last sentence, the sound of a low cawing got her attention. She turned her head…and a small black raven was perched on the windowsill. She smiled at the bird, holding out her hand – a gesture she had used with other birds to tell them she was safe. The bird cocked his head, and then landed on her shoulder.
"Hello," she whispered. The bird looked up at her. "What's your name?"
In response, the animal walked down her shoulder, across her hand, and then looked up at her, as if to say he did not have one. "Is that so?" Ravenna replied. "Well, then, I'll call you Salazar."
The bird cawed loudly in approval. She communicated with the bird a while longer to gain its trust, and then decided to use it as her father once did carrier pigeons. She tied her letter to Tom around the extremely well-mannered bird's leg, and sent it back on its way to London. Just then, however…young Abraxas Malfoy and a small group of boys she didn't know opened the door, startling her.
Abraxas, meanwhile, was not nearly as prideful-looking as the first time they bumped into each other – in fact, he almost looked frightened. "Ah, what's the matter with her, mate?" one of the boys asked. "She's just a girl who wears fake wings!"
"Those wings aren't fake, Yaxley," Abraxas replied. "There's another carriage up ahead – come on, let's go."
The boys left, closing the door behind them. Ravenna's heart sank – once again, it was business as usual. She knew in the deepest recesses of her mind that Hogwarts would not be kind to her – that she would not have very many friends. But now, with this rejection…would she have any friends at all?
As night fell, the Hogwarts Express came to a stop in front of a large lake. As students young and old piled out of the train, Ravenna waited until most of them were gone before coming out. A man named "Ogg," an older man dressed in simple working clothes, led Ravenna and the others to the boats.
Ravenna got into one, finding two fifth-year students inside. The girls seemed a little surprised at her, but wore warm smiles nonetheless. "Who are you?" one of them asked. "A siren?"
"No…," Ravenna replied, wearing a poker face. "I'm Ravenna Royston."
The girls introduced themselves as Patricia and Emily Williams, fifth-year Gryffindor students. Ravenna barely minded them, thinking them somewhat silly. When they arrived, Albus Dumbledore greeted the first years with speeches on the Houses and House Cup, a speech Ravenna felt was barely relevant.
She cared nothing for points or Houses – her business was to be the best witch Hogwarts had ever seen, learning all the magic she could – and perform it better than anyone else. She already knew several charms, including "Alohamora," "Lumos," and "Nox." She had a long way to go – but if her loved ones were to be safe, her determination had to carry her onward.
Ravenna stood through the Sorting Ceremony in silence, recalling the whispers she had heard up and down the tables as she had entered the Great Hall. Now, Ravenna was like a horse with blinders on – centered only on her own ambition. The loveliness of the hall, its many candles, and the table for teachers meant as much to her as a dead cockroach.
"Ravenna Royston!" Albus Dumbledore's loud voice boomed out. Suddenly, Ravenna's blinders were gone…and whispers became evident.
"Definite Hufflepuff…she's a Mullen…"
"With those wings? No way – Ravenclaw shoo-in…"
Ravenna went quietly to the stool, and the Sorting Hat was placed on her head. "My, my, my," it said. "The promise of Morgana is fulfilled at last, a child conceived by Magic itself. Salazar would be most pleased…,"
Every eye in the Hall was on her now…and most of those eyes were as wide as dinner plates. Ravenna sat silent, waiting for the shout she knew was coming:
"SLYTHERIN!"
Ravenna took the Hat off…and was greeted at the Slytherin table by the clapping of one lone man:
Horace Slughorn, the Potions teacher.
